CMA (Cost Management Accounting) India Course: In today’s time everyone wants to do something new and different which separated him/her from the crowd. CMA is one of the toughest professional exams in India and usually has a pass percentage between 5% to 25%. Cost Management Accounting or CMA course is just like that. The course gaining a much popularity among students of Commerce. Now each and every student wants to do this course, because this has a name, fame and money also. The CMA course considers the toughest professional exams in India. Like CA and CS, CMA also a quite impressive career for commerce students.
If an aspirant who is looking for CMA course, then it is must that he/she would know about the course structure, eligibility criteria, subjects, syllabus, entrance exams, job opportunities and salary when the course completion.
About the CMA Course
It is a professional course and after pursuing it, aspirants get a chance to work in accounts and finance at a higher level. The program is specially designed for commerce students and give training so that students can work for big industries and corporate functions. CMA courses are issued by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI). In the past years, the demand of CMA course is increasing and the plus point of this course that there is low competition in this field.
Aspirants can work as a Financial Analyst, Finance Manager, Auditor, Director, Finance CEO, etc. You can work in govt. and private institutions and can do Audit of GST. One can open one’s consultant office.
CMA Course level
There are 3 stages of CMA course.
Level 1 – CMA Foundation level
Level 2 – CMA Intermediate level
Level 3 – CMA Final level
Eligibility Criteria
- CMA Foundation level: An aspirant can do registration after 10th examination, but one can give exam after passing 10+2 examination. If you completed your graduation then you can skip the foundation exam and get direct admission in Intermediate program. But make sure you’ve a Graduate degree in the relevant subject.
- CMA Intermediate level: After passing 10+2 examination or its equivalent exam, if you have cleared foundation level in CS or intermediate level in CA then you are eligible for CMA Intermediate.
Except Fine Arts, an aspirant can be graduate in any stream. Also aspirant should have cleared the CAT foundation part 1 examination through Institute. And also passed Foundation part 1 examination and CAT Competency level part 2 examination by Institute.
- CMA Final level: In CMA, an aspirant have to do practical training whether it is under a company or an accountant. When you completed your training then you will get an associate membership of Institute. The duration of training is completed in 6 months. When your training for at least 6 months is not complete, you will not be eligible to sit in the final examination. So it is must that you complete your training first.
Duration of CMA Course
There is no tough schedule for CMA course. Students can do this course according to their timings. Because it depends on an aspirant that how much time can he/she given to this course. Overall this course depends on aspirants’ focus and determination. However, CMA certification requires at least 6 months to completion and the time can be vary a maximum of 3 years offers by the Institute of Management Accountant.
CMA Examination timings:
| Particulars | Appearing in June | Appearing in December |
| Admission to foundation course | January | July |
| Registration/Enrollment/Intermediate/Final Course | January | July |
| Revalidation of Coaching for Intermediate/Final Course | March | September |
| Coaching Completion | March | September |
| Submission of Exam Form | April | October |
| Apply for Paper-wise Exemption | Before filling Exam Form | |
| Training Completion | Before filing Exam Form | |
| Apply for Registration | Before filing Exam Form | |
| Declaration of Result | August | February |
Students please check the website time to time for details of examination. All the students are advised to complete the requirements who are appearing in the June/December term examination.
CMA Course Syllabus
There are total 20 papers have been taught during the three stages of program. The syllabus mentioned below. Please take a look;
CMA Foundation Subjects:
- Paper 1: Fundamentals of Economics and Management
- Paper 2: Fundamentals of Accounting
- Paper 3: Fundamentals of Laws and Ethics
- Paper 4: Fundamentals of Business Mathematics and Statistics
CMA Intermediate Subjects:
- Paper 1: Financial Accounting
- Paper 2: Laws & Ethics
- Paper 3: Direct Taxation
- Paper 4: Cost Accounting
- Paper 5: Operations Management & Strategic management
- Paper 6: Cost & Management Accounting and Financial Management
- Paper 7: Indirect Taxation
- Paper 8: Company Accounts and Audit
CMA Final Subjects:
- Paper 1: Corporate Laws & Compliance
- Paper 2: Strategic Financial Management
- Paper 3: Strategic Cost Management – Decision Making
- Paper 4: Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation
- Paper 5: Corporate Financial Reporting
- Paper 6: Indirect Tax Laws & Practice
- Paper 7: Cost & Management Audit
- Paper 8: Strategic Performance Management and Business Valuation
Course Registration
The month in which examination will be occur, so an aspirant should have to register at least four months before. See below the CMA Foundation registration dates:
- For June Examination of the same year: February
- For December Examination of the same year: July
Where to apply for CMA course?
Candidates who are applying for this program, please fill the application form. Application form will be available on the website of Institute or you can get Institute itself. After filling the application form along with related documents and send it to respective Regional Councils by post.
When to apply for cMA course?
The application procedure remains active throughout the year so one can register four months prior when the procedure starts.
CMA Course Registration Fees
| Level | Registration Fees |
| CMA Foundation | 4,000 |
| CMA Intermediate | 20,000 |
| CMA Final | 17,000 |
Syllabus of CMA Exam
Exam Part 1:
- External Financial Reporting Decisions
- Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting
- Performance Management
- Cost Management
- Internal Controls
Exam Part 2:
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Corporate Finance
- Decision Analysis
- Risk Management
- Investment Decisions
- Professional Ethics
CMA Exam Schedule and Flexibility
- The USP of this course is that aspirants can appear in different level of examinations as per their choices.
- Students can appear in the exam in any day.
- These exams are computerized, so the benefit will give to students as they can appear for the exam as they want.
- The online classes of this course with flexible nature. Wherever you are, can take classes according to your schedule.
Important Instruction
All the students who are willing to apply for CMA course must remember few points in mind that are as follows:
- Students must complete all the requirements for appearing in the June or in the December term examination in time without waiting for the last date.
- They are advised to check daily for the regular updates on official website.
Job Opportunities
CMA certification offers high level job in the Accounting industry. In this an individual can grow top management level and his/her career potential expands. There’s a lot of opportunities for aspirants in domestic as well as global market. Decision making capacity increases of an aspirant when they pursue CMA certification. There are various career opportunities as;
- Financial Analyst
- Finance Manager
- Finance Controller
- Financial Risk Manager
- Chief Financial Officer
- Cost Manager
- Cost Accountant
- Corporate Controller
- Chief Investment Officer
- Relationship Manager
CMA Salary
If we talk about salary then after completing this course, the salary aspirants get depends upon the position they get. Students get minimum package of 5 lac to 15 lac per annum. The salary may varies according to posts.
- Finance Manager: 3L to 17 L
- Finance Analyst: 3L to 8L
- Finance Controller: 6L to 34 L
- Cost Account: 3L to 10L
- CEO: 10L to 70 L
Various Institutes which Offering CMA Certification Course
- JIBA, Gujarat
- SMJC, Andhra Pradesh
- CMES, Uttarakhand
- ICAT, Tamil Nadu
- SC, Andhra Pradesh
- NDCB, Bangalore
- AMMDC, Andhra Pradesh
Top Recruiters for CMA Certificate Holders
- IIFL
- Morning Star
- Northern Trust
- IBM
- Nestle
- Amazon
- Walter Bushnell
Skills gained by CMA Course:
Candidates can be able to learn the following skills through CMA course:
- One can expertise in Financial Accounting
- Improves performance
- Cost Management
- Expertise in Management Accounting
- Risk Management
- Planning and Budget management
- Investment Decision
CMA Course Syllabus/ Subjects Taught
In total, the CMA course comprises 20 papers through the three stages of the programme. The level-wise syllabus of CMA is mentioned below.
| CMA Foundation Syllabus/ Subjects/ Papers | CMA Intermediate Syllabus/ Subjects/ Papers | CMA Final Syllabus/ Subjects/ Papers |
| Paper 1 – Fundamentals of Business Mathematics and Statistic Paper 2 – Fundamentals of Laws and Ethics Paper 3 – Fundamentals of Accounting Paper 4 – Fundamentals of Economics and Management | Paper 5 – Company Accounts & Audit Paper 6 – Indirect Taxation Paper 7 – Cost and Management Accounting Paper 8 – Operation Management Information System Paper 9 – Cost accounting and financial management Paper 10 – Direct Taxation Paper 11 – Laws, Ethics and Governance Paper 12 – Financial Accounting | Paper 13 – Financial Analysis & Business Valuation Paper 14 – Cost and Management Audit Paper 15 – Corporate Financial Reporting Paper 16 – Strategic Performance Management Paper 17 – Tax Management and Practice Paper 18 – Business Strategy & Strategic Cost Management Paper 19 – Advanced Financial Management Paper 20 – Corporate Laws and Compliance |
FAQs regarding CMA Course Details
Q – What’s the eligibility criteria for CMA Certification?
ANS – An aspirant must hold membership of Institute of Management Accountants. He/ She must have a valid graduate degree in the relevant subject from a recognized University. Also have 2 years of experience in accounting and finance program.
Q – How long does the CMA course take to complete?
ANS – The CMA course has three stages. It depend on capacity of a candidate then how much time he/she will take. Basically anyone can complete this course in 3 to 4 years.
Q – Can I appear for CMA Foundation before clearing SSC examination?
ANS – Candidates can register only for the course but not appear in the exam. After passing 10+2 examination, then they can get the opportunity to sit in the examination.
Q – What are the skills required for the CMA course?
ANS – An aspiring CMA needs to possess strong communication skills to deal and negotiate with others, the ability to take quick & wise decisions and a professional attitude. One must be good at handling computers as the work of a CMA involves the use of software such as Excel and PowerPoint. He / She also needs to have thorough knowledge about cost management, planning, budgeting, risk management etc.
